In 1939, Clifton’s redecorated its location at 618 S. Olive St in downtown Los Angeles and relaunched it as “Clifton’s Pacific Seas” with an impossible-to-miss 20-foot cliff-face and waterfall that we can see in this color photo. We can also see their slogan “PAY WHAT YOU WISH.” Having opened in the depth of the Depression, Clifford Clinton wanted to do his part, so his patrons were only obligated to pay whatever they could afford, including nothing at all. Interestingly, very few patrons accepted a free meal. It was worth their self-esteem to pay the only pennies they had in their pocket. The person who sent me this photo asked what year it was taken. I can only guesstimate it was in the early to mid 1950s. Can anyone narrow it down further?
Clifton’s Pacific Seas was demolished in the 1960s. That site is now a parking lot. This image is from January 2023.
Clifton’s Pacific Seas was my favorite of the Clifton’s locations downtown when I was growing up. As this photo shows, it was a visual riot outside. Inside it was a delightful trip to the South Seas. It was located on Hope Street across from the Oviatt Building. Unfortunately, Clifton’s Pacific Seas was torn down in the early 1960’s, ironically while I was living in Honolulu. It’s now a parking lot. The second photo shows the Clifton’s location on Broadway, originally known as the Brookdale, now the Republic.
My grandfather would take me there during Market Week in the late 40’s. They had the treasure chest.
Sorry. It was on Olive not Hope.
Dating the photo: The “woodie” Chevrolet Station wagon is a 1950 Chevrolet with the CA black and yellow number license plate issued from 1951-1955. The Plymouth Yellow Cab was built in 1951-52 in that configuration. So my guess is that the photo is from 1952 or a year later. The Grey Line sightseeing bus was probably there taking tourists to this unique restaurant.
Thanks, Alan!
Just beyond the cab are some neon lights that point out Gray Line Sightseeing, so maybe this was a gathering point to head over to places on a route (like Hollywood). Tourists would often book lodgings in downtown and then go on day journeys via streetcars and busses. (Gray Line could have tapped that crowd close to their hotels where they might walk over to dine?) IIRC Holiday Magazine would give tips on what could be had and how to get there. I have one LA guide (circa 1960) that was compliments of KHJ which covered this stuff in paperback form.
This photo shows the Clifton’s Pacific Seas restaurant at 618 S. Olive Street, not its Brookdale restaurant at 648 S. Broadway. The Pacific Seas restaurant was the site of the original Clifton’s in 1931 which was remodeled in 1939. Sadly, it closed in 1960 and was demolished.
The Brookdale restaurant is now site of Clifton’s Republic.